ON Semiconductor rallies after unveiling new auto focus technology ON Semiconductor announced earlier today that it has successfully demonstrated its second generation Phase Detect Auto Focus, PDAF, technology featuring a unique pixel micro-lens technology that enables fast focus at 25 Lux light levels. This unique technology has been successfully implemented on a 13 megapixel test chip with 1.1 micron pixels and will be utilized in a new product introduction for mobile end-market customers later this year. Shares of ON Semiconductor are higher by over 5% in morning trading.

Citigroup sees truck carrier stocks poised to outperformWith the U.S. economy growing quickly, the stocks of truck carriers are likely to outperform the S&P 500, Citigroup believes. WHAT'S NEW: Truck transportation prices and truck carrier stocks "respond most directly to economic growth," Citigroup analyst Christian Wetherbee wrote in a note to investors today. After carriers' truckload rates rose 4% last year, the rates should rise by a similar amount this year, Wetherbee predicted. Economic growth, along with the difficulties the carriers are experiencing with recruiting drivers, should be supportive of additional rate increases, the analyst stated. Wetherbee warned that the stocks of truck builders usually underperform during periods such as the current one, when a large amounts of U.S. class 8 trucks are being built. Consequently, truck carrier stocks present investors with an opportunity, while investors should be cautious on truck builders and parts suppliers, he wrote. Among truck carriers, Swift (SWFT) is particularly attractive, since it has underperformed its peers over the last year, Wetherbee stated. Additionally, the company's results appear likely to at least meet consensus estimates, the analyst predicted. He also kept a Buy rating on another truck carrier, Knight Transportation (KNX) and maintained a Buy rating on Cummins (CMI), which builds truck engines. The analyst kept a Hold rating on truck builder PACCAR (PCAR). OTHERS TO WATCH: Navistar (NAV) builds trucks and Celadon (CGI) is another truck carrier. PRICE ACTION: In early afternoon trading, Swift rose 1%, Knight Transportation gained 1.3%, Cummins added 0.7%, and PACCAR lost 0.5%.

Trucking stocks likely to outperform S&P 500, says CitigroupCitigroup says its work indicates trucking stocks respond most directly to economic growth. With the economy on a growth trajectory, Citi expects trucking stocks are likely to outperform the S&P 500. The firm reiterates Buy ratings on Swift Transportation (SWFT) and Knight Transportation (KNX), with a preference for Swift. It also has a Buy rating on Cummins (CMI) and Neutral on PACCAR (PCAR).